After years of sitting on the sidelines, followed by a few months at the top of the meta, Linear Fusions Rifles are finally in a good place. In fact, a few of them are still considered to be among the best weapons in Destiny 2.
This guide covers every Linear Fusion Rifle in Destiny 2, including Exotic and Legendaries, as well as the best rolls for PvE and PvP.
Updated as of Season of the Wish (S23). See Updates.
Destiny 2 Best Linear Fusion Rifles: Top-tier Options
This Tier list features the Top-tier Exotic and Legendary Linear Fusion Rifles right now, including the Doomed Petitioner:
Item | Weapons | Type | Archetype | Ammo | Element | Requirements | In loot pool? | Rank | Source | Available? | Tier rank | Source ❘ DLC | Final Verdict | Released | Perks | Best of? |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Arbalest | Arbalest | Linear Fusion Rifle | Exotic | Special | Kinetic | Lightfall | Yes | S › Best | Exotic Quest | Best ❘ S Excels in: PvE | Exotic Quest Lightfall | Slot: Kinetic | Ammo: Special | Archetype: Exotic Exotic Perk: "Fires slugs that cause massive damage to enemy shields. Strong against Barrier Champions. Breaking an enemy's shield with this weapon makes them more vulnerable to Kinetic damage." ► Arbalest continues to dominate in every area of the game, even through nerfs to both its damage and aim assist. With the ability to nuke Barrier Champion and elemental shields in 1-2 shots (even on Grandmaster difficulty), Arbalest is still a brilliant and mind-bogglingly simple weapon to use. | Season 6 | Slot: Kinetic | Ammo: Special | Archetype: Exotic Exotic Perk: "Fires slugs that cause massive damage to enemy shields. Strong against Barrier Champions. Breaking an enemy's shield with this weapon makes them more vulnerable to Kinetic damage." | Top-tier | |
Cataclysmic | Cataclysmic | Linear Fusion Rifle | Precision | Heavy | Solar | The Witch Queen | Yes | S › Best | Vow of the Disciple Raid | Best ❘ S Excels in: PvE | Vow of the Disciple Raid Witch Queen | Slot: Solar | Ammo: Heavy | Archetype: Precision PvE God Roll: Fourth Time's The Charm + Bait and Switch ► While recent options like Briar's Contempt technically outclass Cataclysmic in total damage, this linear fusion rifle continues to be many players' first choice. It's easy to use, stacks nicely with Surge mods, and tends to be way more consistent than its competitors. | Season 16 | Slot: Solar | Ammo: Heavy | Archetype: Precision PvE God Roll: Fourth Time's The Charm + Bait and Switch | Top-tier | |
Briar's Contempt | Briar's Contempt | Linear Fusion Rifle | Aggressive | Heavy | Solar | Lightfall | Yes | S › Best | Root of Nightmares Raid | Best ❘ S Excels in: PvE | Root of Nightmares Raid Lightfall | Slot: Solar | Ammo: Heavy | Archetype: Aggressive PvE God Roll: Rewind Rounds (also good: Reconstruction) + Focused Fury (also good: Surrounded) ► Briar's Contempt was released with little popularity, along with the rest of the Root of Nightmares weapons. However, now that people have had their hands on it for a bit, it's clear that Briar's is strong. The combination of Surrounded and Harmonic Resonance makes this weapon even stronger than Cataclysmic, but only in specific scenarios. | Season 20 | Slot: Solar | Ammo: Heavy | Archetype: Aggressive PvE God Roll: Rewind Rounds (also good: Reconstruction) + Focused Fury (also good: Surrounded) | Top-tier | |
Doomed Petitioner | Doomed Petitioner | Linear Fusion Rifle | Aggressive | Heavy | Void | Season 23 | Yes | S › Best | Seasonal activity | Best ❘ S Excels in: PvE | Seasonal activity Season 23 | Slot: Void | Ammo: Heavy | Archetype: Aggressive PvE God Roll: Envious Assassin (also good: Reconstruction) + Surrounded (also good: Precision Instrument) ► Along with Briar's Contempt, Doomed Petitioner mainly excels at optimized total damage due to Surrounded and their aggressive frames. Sure, Cataclysmic is typically the go-to for many Guardians (and understandably so), but Doomed Petitioner and Briar's Contempt beat it out when it comes down to the numbers. | Season 23 | Slot: Void | Ammo: Heavy | Archetype: Aggressive PvE God Roll: Envious Assassin (also good: Reconstruction) + Surrounded (also good: Precision Instrument) | Top-tier | |
Sleeper Simulant | Sleeper Simulant | Linear Fusion Rifle | Exotic | Heavy | Solar | Free-to-Play | Yes | A › Strong | Exotic Kiosk | Strong ❘ A Excels in: PvE | Exotic Kiosk Free-to-Play | Slot: Solar | Ammo: Heavy | Archetype: Exotic Exotic Perk: "The weapon's laser over penetrates enemies and refracts off hard surfaces." ► Sleeper Simulant has always been a great pick but is often ignored by the community. Whether this is because of the plethora of other great options or that Sleeper is uses an exotic slot, but using this as a burst-damage weapon isn't a bad option. | Season 3 | Slot: Solar | Ammo: Heavy | Archetype: Exotic Exotic Perk: "The weapon's laser over penetrates enemies and refracts off hard surfaces." | Top-tier | |
Reed's Regret | Reed's Regret | Linear Fusion Rifle | Precision | Heavy | Stasis | Lightfall | Yes | A › Strong | Trials of Osiris | Strong ❘ A Excels in: PvE | Trials of Osiris Lightfall | Slot: Stasis | Ammo: Heavy | Archetype: Precision PvE God Roll: Triple Tap + Firing Line ► Reed's Regret is significantly less popular than it was previously, now even to the point where the majority of players don't consider it a part of the meta. While this may be the case, Reed's Regret does fall generally in the middle of the pack here; it doesn't stack up to any S-Tier linear fusions, but it's inarguably the next best thing. | Season 15 | Slot: Stasis | Ammo: Heavy | Archetype: Precision PvE God Roll: Triple Tap + Firing Line | Top-tier |
Destiny 2 Linear Fusion Rifles: The complete list
This database includes every viable Linear Fusion currently in the game:
Art | Weapon | Type | Archetype | Rarity | Ammo | Element | Requirements | In loot pool? | Ammo? | Element? | Tier | Excels | Source | Craftable? | Requires | Released | Slot | Can be Crafted? | Best of? | Top Perk? |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Arbalest | Linear Fusion Rifle | Exotic | Exotic | Special | Kinetic | Lightfall | Yes | Special | Kinetic | Best ❘ S | PvE | Exotic Quest | No | Lightfall | Season 6 | Kinetic | No | Top-tier | ||
Lorentz Driver | Linear Fusion Rifle | Exotic | Exotic | Special | Void | Beyond Light | Yes | Special | Void | Average ❘ B | PvP | Exotic Kiosk | No | Beyond Light | Season 15 | Energy | No | |||
Sleeper Simulant | Linear Fusion Rifle | Exotic | Exotic | Heavy | Solar | Free-to-Play | Yes | Heavy | Solar | Strong ❘ A | PvE | Exotic Kiosk | No | Free-to-Play | Season 3 | Heavy | No | Top-tier | ||
The Queenbreaker | Linear Fusion Rifle | Exotic | Exotic | Heavy | Arc | Free-to-Play | Yes | Heavy | Arc | Worst ❘ D | - | Exotic Engram | No | Free-to-Play | Season 4 | Heavy | No | |||
Corsair's Wrath | Linear Fusion Rifle | Precision | Legendary | Heavy | Solar | Free-to-Play | Yes | Heavy | Solar | Worst ❘ D | - | World loot pool | No | Free-to-Play | Season 12 | Heavy | No | |||
Threaded Needle | Linear Fusion Rifle | Precision | Legendary | Heavy | Void | Free-to-Play | Yes | Heavy | Void | Weak ❘ C | PvE | World loot pool | No | Free-to-Play | Season 13 | Heavy | No | |||
Tarantula | Linear Fusion Rifle | Precision | Legendary | Heavy | Arc | Free-to-Play | Yes | Heavy | Arc | Worst ❘ D | - | World loot pool | No | Free-to-Play | Season 13 | Heavy | No | |||
Reed's Regret | Linear Fusion Rifle | Precision | Legendary | Heavy | Stasis | Lightfall | Yes | Heavy | Stasis | Strong ❘ A | PvE | Trials of Osiris | No | Lightfall | Season 15 | Heavy | No | Top-tier | ||
Cataclysmic | Linear Fusion Rifle | Precision | Legendary | Heavy | Solar | The Witch Queen | Yes | Heavy | Solar | Best ❘ S | PvE | Vow of the Disciple Raid | Yes | Witch Queen | Season 16 | Heavy | Craftable | Top-tier | Bait and Switch | |
Stormchaser | Linear Fusion Rifle | Aggressive | Legendary | Heavy | Arc | Deluxe Edition | Yes | Heavy | Arc | Average ❘ B | PvE | Duality Dungeon | No | Deluxe Edition | Season 17 | Heavy | No | |||
Sailspy Pitchglass | Linear Fusion Rifle | Precision | Legendary | Heavy | Arc | Free-to-Play | Yes | Heavy | Arc | Weak ❘ C | - | Xûr | Yes | Free-to-Play | Season 18 | Heavy | Craftable | Voltshot | ||
Taipan-4fr | Linear Fusion Rifle | Precision | Legendary | Heavy | Void | Free-to-Play | Yes | Heavy | Void | Average ❘ B | PvE | Gunsmith | Yes | Free-to-Play | Season 18 | Heavy | Craftable | Repulsor Brace | ||
Fire and Forget | Linear Fusion Rifle | Aggressive | Legendary | Heavy | Stasis | The Witch Queen | Yes | Heavy | Stasis | Weak ❘ C | - | Operation: Seraph's Shield | Yes | Witch Queen | Season 19 | Heavy | Craftable | |||
Briar's Contempt | Linear Fusion Rifle | Aggressive | Legendary | Heavy | Solar | Lightfall | Yes | Heavy | Solar | Best ❘ S | PvE | Root of Nightmares Raid | Yes | Lightfall | Season 20 | Heavy | Craftable | Top-tier | Incandescent,Reconstruction | |
Laser Painter | Linear Fusion Rifle | Precision | Legendary | Heavy | Strand | Free-to-Play | Yes | Heavy | Strand | Weak ❘ C | - | Playlist: Gambit | No | Free-to-Play | Season 21 | Heavy | No | |||
Doomed Petitioner | Linear Fusion Rifle | Aggressive | Legendary | Heavy | Void | Season 23 | Yes | Heavy | Void | Best ❘ S | PvE | Seasonal activity | Yes | Season 23 | Season 23 | Heavy | Craftable | Top-tier | Reconstruction |
These are the different Tier levels used for our list:
- S Tier – Best: Highest ranking weapons in our Tier List.
- A Tier – Strong: Very strong weapons, but not on the same level as S Tier Choices.
- B Tier – Average: Decent choices that can be lethal in the hands of a skilled player.
- C Tier – Weak: The middle of the pack, somewhat mediocre.
- D Tier – Worst: Lagging behind the competition, these don’t have much to offer.
Best Destiny 2 Linear Fusions in 20¨24
Ready to dig deeper into the absolute best Linear Fusion Rifles (LFRs) in Destiny 2 right now? These are the cream of the crop, our favorites (for PvE and PvP):
5. Arbalest
Excels in PvE
Despite some recent changes that have made some of its strengths obsolete, Arbalest continues to excel in many situations throughout PvE.
With the removal of the Match Game modifier, the only remaining draw to Arbalest is the ability to pierce Barrier champion shields in one shot. While this does make the weapon extremely handy in activities like Grandmaster Nightfalls, the number of general use cases for Arbalest has drastically decreased.
Another factor contributing to the decline of Arbalest has been the rising popularity of Wish-Ender, an exotic bow that’s able to accomplish the same exact thing. While Arbalest is still preferred by many, Wish-Ender does eliminate any chance of ammo economy issues and is generally more versatile.
While Arbalest has seen a major decline in popularity as of recent, it still manages to hold its ground against other linear fusion rifles and special weapons in PvE. If you’re looking for a unique and potent weapon that excels at piercing shields, Arbalest is the way to go.
Exotic Perk: “Fires slugs that cause massive damage to enemy shields. Strong against Barrier Champions. Breaking an enemy’s shield with this weapon makes them more vulnerable to Kinetic damage.”
How to get it: Arbalest can be acquired via Exotic engrams or Xûr.
Art | Weapon | Type | Archetype | Rarity | Ammo | Element | Requirements | In loot pool? | Ammo? | Element? | Tier | Excels | Source | Craftable? | Requires | Released | Slot | Can be Crafted? | Best of? | Top Perk? |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Arbalest | Linear Fusion Rifle | Exotic | Exotic | Special | Kinetic | Lightfall | Yes | Special | Kinetic | Best ❘ S | PvE | Exotic Quest | No | Lightfall | Season 6 | Kinetic | No | Top-tier |
4. Sleeper Simulant
Excels in PvE
Consistently finding itself in a weird spot within the meta, Sleeper Simulant’s potency has never been truly utilized by the community at large.
With absurdly high damage per shot and a catalyst that greatly assists with the weapon’s overall useability, Sleeper Simulant is an outstanding pick for total damage. However, this comes at the cost of using your exotic weapon slot, which many players tend to avoid.
In addition to the high cost of your exotic slot, Sleeper Simulant needs to compete with top weapons like Cataclysmic and Apex Predator. However, because of the major power creep we’ve seen recently, Sleeper just barely misses the mark. While it’s still a great total damage option, Sleeper Simulant is simply outclassed by new and powerful picks, putting it relatively low on our Top 5.
Exotic Perk: “The weapon’s laser over-penetrates enemies and refracts off hard surfaces.”
How to get it: Sleeper Simulant can be purchased at the Monument to Lost Lights in the Tower.
Art | Weapon | Type | Archetype | Rarity | Ammo | Element | Requirements | In loot pool? | Ammo? | Element? | Tier | Excels | Source | Craftable? | Requires | Released | Slot | Can be Crafted? | Best of? | Top Perk? |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Sleeper Simulant | Linear Fusion Rifle | Exotic | Exotic | Heavy | Solar | Free-to-Play | Yes | Heavy | Solar | Strong ❘ A | PvE | Exotic Kiosk | No | Free-to-Play | Season 3 | Heavy | No | Top-tier |
3. Briar’s Contempt
Excels in PvE
Briar’s Contempt made no waves whatsoever upon release, primarily due to Cataclysmic’s continued domination of this weapon class. However, people are now beginning to see Briar’s true power.
To begin, Reconstruction and Rewind Rounds are unique but helpful in the first column. In the second, there’s recently been a considerable amount of hype around Surrounded. While it’s a pain to proc in most activities, the 40% (47% enhanced) damage buff it grants is unrivaled. Harmonic Resonance (Root of Nightmares’ origin trait) is equally as situational but can prove useful in the Nezarec and Ghosts of the Deep fights.
Beyond this, Briar’s Contempt also sees power in more generic options such as Focused Fury. While it’s not quite as strong as Cataclysmic overall, that’s a high bar to exceed. Briar’s Contempt proves to be both powerful and unique, rocketing it up to near the top of this list. These are the top Briar’s Contempt God Rolls
- PvE God roll: Rewind Rounds (also good: Reconstruction) + Surrounded
How to get it: Briar’s Contempt can be acquired from the Root of Nightmares raid.
Art | Weapon | Type | Archetype | Rarity | Ammo | Element | Requirements | In loot pool? | Ammo? | Element? | Tier | Excels | Source | Craftable? | Requires | Released | Slot | Can be Crafted? | Best of? | Top Perk? |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Briar's Contempt | Linear Fusion Rifle | Aggressive | Legendary | Heavy | Solar | Lightfall | Yes | Heavy | Solar | Best ❘ S | PvE | Root of Nightmares Raid | Yes | Lightfall | Season 20 | Heavy | Craftable | Top-tier | Incandescent,Reconstruction |
2. Doomed Petitioner
Excels in PvE and PvP
New with Season of the Wish is Doomed Petitioner, the fourth aggressive frame linear fusion rifle to enter Destiny 2.
Even compared to raid weapons like Cataclysmic and Briar’s Contempt, Doomed Petitioner is extremely powerful. This weapon has not only some of the same combinations that made Briar’s so popular (Envious Assassin or Reconstruction with Surrounded) but also a unique trait that boosts it up even further: Precision Instrument.
While it’s only a 25% damage increase at max stacks (which is outclassed by both Bait and Switch and Surrounded), the perk is extremely easy to use and triggers in only two bursts. Plus, as we mentioned earlier, Doomed Petitioner can indeed roll with Surrounded, putting it nearly on par with Briar’s Contempt.
Despite other options that are inarguably more potent, Doomed Petitioner excels past most of its competition while boasting high total damage and outstanding ease of use. These are the top Doomed Petitioner God Rolls:
- PvE God roll:Envious Assassin (also good: Reconstruction) + Surrounded (also good: Precision Instrument)
How to get it: Stormchaser can be acquired from the Duality dungeon.
Art | Weapon | Type | Archetype | Rarity | Ammo | Element | Requirements | In loot pool? | Ammo? | Element? | Tier | Excels | Source | Craftable? | Requires | Released | Slot | Can be Crafted? | Best of? | Top Perk? |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Stormchaser | Linear Fusion Rifle | Aggressive | Legendary | Heavy | Arc | Deluxe Edition | Yes | Heavy | Arc | Average ❘ B | PvE | Duality Dungeon | No | Deluxe Edition | Season 17 | Heavy | No |
1. Cataclysmic
Excels in PVE
Cataclysmic has been a top damage weapon season after season, and it shows no signs of slowing down.
Cataclysmic’s main draw comes from a perk previously locked behind the Vow of the Disciple raid: Bait and Switch. As of the writing of this article, Bait and Switch boosts damage by an absurd 35%, making it rivaled only by Surrounded.
Despite this, Bungie announced in a recent TWID that Bait and Switch will be nerfed in Update 7.3.5 (releasing March 5, 2024) to now only increase damage by 30%. While this sounds like it could finally shake the meta up, community members aren’t expecting much change. Cataclysmic will continue to excel past nearly all competition, making it a must-have weapon going into The Final Shape. These are the top Cataclysmic God Rolls:
- PvE God roll: Fourth Time’s The Charm + Bait and Switch
How to get it: Cataclysmic can be acquired from the Vow of the Disciple raid.
Art | Weapon | Type | Archetype | Rarity | Ammo | Element | Requirements | In loot pool? | Ammo? | Element? | Tier | Excels | Source | Craftable? | Requires | Released | Slot | Can be Crafted? | Best of? | Top Perk? |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Cataclysmic | Linear Fusion Rifle | Precision | Legendary | Heavy | Solar | The Witch Queen | Yes | Heavy | Solar | Best ❘ S | PvE | Vow of the Disciple Raid | Yes | Witch Queen | Season 16 | Heavy | Craftable | Top-tier | Bait and Switch |
Linear Fusion Rifles and the PvP Meta
We covered which specific Linear Fusions are considered top-tier (and should be farmed) and which can be safely ignored. But how do they compare to other Heavy weapons in PvP?
Weapon Type | Rank | Tier | Trend | Role ❘ Current State | Category |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Rocket Launchers | S › Best | Best ❘ S | - | ► Rocket Launchers remain a staple in many players' loadouts. They can provide high-range one-shot kills, and can also do AoE damage which can potentially allow you to clear teams if they are close enough together. ► Best Archetype: Precision (15 RPM) - Example: Gjallarhorn | PVP Heavies |
Grenade Launchers | S › Best | Best ❘ S | - | ► Heavy Grenade Launchers are an incredible option for those who are confident in landing their direct hits. They can functionally serve as a Rocket Launcher, but instead of coming with only a single shot, Grenade Launchers can bring 3, which, of course, means more potential kills. ► Best Archetype: Adaptive (120 RPM) - Example: Memory Interdict | PVP Heavies |
Machine Guns | A › Strong | Strong ❘ A | - | ► Machine Guns are still an incredible option for Control as they can provide many kills. However, they do require multiple shots to kill which can lead to you potentially being Sniped or peak-shot by a Primary Weapon. ► Best Archetype: Adaptive (450 RPM) - Example: Corrective Measure | PVP Heavies |
Linear Fusion Rifles | B › Average | Average ❘ B | ► Linear fusion rifles are in the middle of an identity crisis. They are stronger than sniper rifles and have more aim assistance, but they still require Heavy ammo and a headshot to one-shot an enemy. On top of that, they also have a charge time to take into account. Compared to a sniper rifle that fires immediately and only uses Special ammo, Linear Fusion rifles make little sense for the Crucible. | PVP Heavies | |
Swords | C › Weak | Weak ❘ C | - | ► Swords are perhaps the most fun option (especially with Eager Edge); however, they are too inconsistent to warrant any competitive use. Furthermore, benefitting from third-person view is no longer possible without Heavy ammo, making the only niche usage swords had redundant. ► Best Archetype: Adaptive/Lightweight- Examples: Half-Truths/Quickfang | PVP Heavies |
This TTK guide includes the TTKs for every weapon in Destiny 2. But Heavy weapons follow different rules (except machine guns). These are supposed to be the most powerful weapons in the entire game, and the expectation is that they one-shot enemy guardians. This is why TTK is not applicable here.
For PvP, you want your Power weapon to be as reliable and consistent as possible. Linear Fusions are not too bad in that department due to their high aim assist, but they still require good timing and aim.
If you’re looking for a more forgiving weapon, a rocket launcher will be a better option. Having said that, Linear Fusions get more ammo and players who can master Linear Fusions can easily secure a few kills per ammo brick.
Linear Fusions and the PvE Meta: DPS
How do LFRs compare to other Heavy weapons in PvE?
Weapon Type | Rank | Tier | Trend | Role ❘ Current State | Category |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Rocket Launchers | S › Best | Best ❘ S | ► Main role: Burst Damage (Secondary role: Add Clear) ► If an S+ category existed, Rocket Launchers would be there. They absolutely dominate the DPS meta for any boss that isn't Crota and easily outclass other options thanks to their flexibility in damage rotations and their ability to be spammed at bosses. Rockets are incredibly strong right now, and it wouldn't be surprising if they received some tuning soon. ► Best Archetype: Adaptive (20 RPM) - Example: The Hothead | PVE Heavies | |
Machine Guns | A › Strong | Strong ❘ A | ► Main role: Add Clear ► With the nerf to double-special loadouts, players can't mindlessly spam Machine Guns at enemies anymore and be rewarded for it. However, Machine guns are still excellent at ad clear and remain decent for DPS. That said, for DPS, they are massively outclassed by Rocket Launchers. ► Best Archetype: Rapid-Fire (900 RPM) - Example: Retrofit Escapade | PVE Heavies | |
Swords | A › Strong | Strong ❘ A | ► Main roles: Add Clear & Single Target damage (i.e. Boss damage). ► Swords are in a good spot right now. In fact, they are the go-to option for Crota in Crota's End. However, this is only because of a modifier that increases Sword damage against Crota. Outside of this specific boss, Swords are a decent option that doesn't excel simply because they are out-damaged by other heavy weapons. ► Best Archetype: Whirlwind - Example: Falling Guillotine | PVE Heavies | |
Linear Fusion Rifles | A › Strong | Strong ❘ A | ► Main role: Single Target damage (Secondary role: Burst Damage) ► Linear Fusion Rifles might not be the top dogs anymore, but they are still serious contenders when it comes to total damage. Options like Cataclysmic and Briar's Contempt can still see some use in today's meta. However, despite their strengths, most situations do not require the amount of total damage that Linear Fusions offer, and if they do, options like Leviathan's Breath can fill that void very easily. ► Best Archetype: Precision (533 RPM) - Example: Reed's Regret | PVE Heavies | |
Grenade Launchers | B › Average | Average ❘ B | - | ► Main role: Add Clear (Secondary role: Single Target Damage). ► Grenade Launchers are on the rise, and with a couple of changes, we could see them soar to the top of the pile. For now, though, they remain a mediocre option with a couple of outliers, such as the Cataphract GL3, which is mainly good because it has Bait and Switch, not because it's a Grenade Launcher. ► Best Archetype: Adaptive (120 RPM) - Cataphract GL3 | PVE Heavies |
Exotic Sniper Rifles | C › Weak | Weak ❘ C | - | ► Main role: Single Target damage ► Exotic Snipers still require more help. D.A.R.C.I remains a complete joke, and Whisper of the Worm isn't strong enough to bring the ranking up. While Whisper is a surprisingly decent option, it requires a teammate using Divinity in most situations, unless you are very consistent with your shots. And even then, Rocket Launchers are still superior DPS options. ► Best Archetype: Aggressive (72 RPM) - Example: Whisper of the Worm | PVE Heavies |
According to Bungie, these are the different roles for Heavy weapons:
Role | Explanation | Target Weapon types |
Add Clear | Clearing weaker enemies faster than you could with a primary ammo weapon. For most content, primaries do the add clear job perfectly well, so this is most useful in high-difficulty PvE. | Main: Machine Guns, Grenade Launchers, Swords
Secondary: Rocket Launchers |
Single Target Damage | Burning down a boss. | Main: Linear Fusion Rifles, Exotic Snipers, Swords
Secondary: Grenade Launchers, Machine Guns |
Burst Damage | Burning down a champion quickly, or for bosses with multiple damage phases, clearing a phase quickly. | Main: Rocket Launchers
Secondary: Linear Fusion Rifles |
Keep in mind that when it comes to PvE, DPS is one of the most important factors. As you know, the higher the DPS, the more damage you can deal to a Boss or Major. This DPS chart includes the DPS numbers for every weapon in Destiny 2.
When it comes to actual DPS, Linear Fusions are strong:
- | Weapon Type | Archetype | Sustained DPS | Mag DPS | Total Damage | Specs | --- | Best in Class | Change? | Ammo |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Linear Fusion Rifle | Exotic | 29717 | 34498 | 703216 | /w Catalyst | Sleeper Simulant | Buffed | Heavy | ||
Linear Fusion Rifle | Exotic | 20901 | 25186 | 483576 | With "Marksman Sights" | The Queenbreaker | Buffed | Heavy | ||
Linear Fusion Rifle | Aggressive | 19866 | 21459 | 712188 | - | Stormchaser | New | Heavy | ||
Linear Fusion Rifle | Precision | 18490 | 20453 | 500066 | - | Reed's Regret | Buffed | Heavy | ||
Linear Fusion Rifle | Exotic | 18170 | 20574 | 488819 | - | Arbalest | Same | Special | ||
Linear Fusion Rifle | Exotic | 15800 | 17891 | 425063 | - | Lorentz Driver | Same | Special |
Endgame content
When using a Linear Fusion, you want to dish sustained damage to a single target in endgame content, be it a Boss or a Major. As Linear Fusions are all about hitting precision hits to take advantage of that sweet critical hit multiplier, you’ll want to use it against an enemy that has a reasonably easy-to-hit crit spot. Unlike Rocket launchers or Swords that can’t deal precision damage, Linear Fusions need to land virtually 100% precision shots in order to be competitive.
Before you go…
Are you looking for a top-tier Primary and Special weapon to round out your loadout? We cover the Best Destiny 2 SMGs and Best Destiny 2 Shotguns, too.
You now know everything there is to know about Linear Fusions in Destiny 2, whether that is for PVP or PVE content.
See latest Updates
- February 28, 2024: General updates and the inclusion of Linear Fusions from Season 22 and Season 23.
- Aug 8, 2023: General updates and the inclusion of Season 18 to 21 Linear fusion rifles.
- Jan 5, 2022: Inclusion of Year 5 (the Witch Queen) LFRs.
- Nov 22, 2022: Inclusion of Year 4 LFRs.
- May 10, 2021: The guide is published for the first time.
Stay tuned, and don’t forget to bookmark this page for next season!
ummm….. this page needs a refresher lol. Happy Holidays 🙂